Plan to spend 12 weeks in France - where to go?

I've booked 3 months off work, and plan to fulfil an ambition of approximately 3 months (Jan-end March) in France - ski-ing (of course), & learning French. I won't need to work, but would like to meet other ski companions.

Friends and family will be joining me from time-to-time. We'll probably kick it all off with a family ski holiday after Christmas (although it doesn't have to be at the location I'll spend of the rest of my break in) - and I'll be looking for a studio apartment rental for the rest of my solo stay.

Any thoughts on where to go? I may drive down so I have use of a car - but would then need to find somewhere with undercover parking.

Possibilities in my mind so far are Brides-les-Bains (access to 3 Valleys) and Morzine (for Portes du Soleil).

thanks! -)

Have just requested the same. Really trying to push the gym work to make the most of it. As ever I will not look beyond Chamonix but there is an certain trip I may try and drop in on for the day.

I think that you would definitely need a car to get the best out of your trip ..and stay somewhere central ...how about Bourg st Maurice a lively small town with reasonable pricing and not far from 4 of the Major resorts..a bit further away from there is L2A and Alpe d'Huez (about a 2 hour drive) and if you want to shift bases ..up to Morrilon where you are on the Flaine circuit( Grand Masif) and a 20 minute drive from the Portes Du Sollaile and Pras du Lys( worth a day or 2 for a change) and about an hour from there is Le Grand Bornand etc

We should ask how your skiing is and what you want to try and get out of the 12 weeks. Being resort based has lots of advantages when it comes to finding like minded ski friends, getting to know terrain and snow pack etc. Perhaps less of a concern if your focus is improving your onpiste skills or just ticking off resorts where skiing alone is probably advantageous.

Thanks. I am not looking to ski every day - and building a social circle is important- so intend to be either resort-based or near a resort.
The more I think about it, the more I feel I may not take your car with me – it would be a lot of hassle and expense, so somewhere with good public transport links is important.

*a car with me even!

And I am an experienced ski-er but getting on a bit, so won't be wanting to frequent the parks, but love long, scenic descents and miles under my skis with good coffee stops along the way.

I think you are wrong about going by car...it really is no hassle ..I also am ...over retirement age..and I am going by car for the 3rd time this season..it really is easy. Also as you are going for 3 months you will need to take a fair amount with you and skis? car is really the sensible option. Also remember shopping ..unless you intend to live in restaurants (expensive) and resort supermarkets ( twice the price of the ones in the valley). With your scenario I might choose Les Gets ..a nice little resort but if you have a car Le Grande Massif and Pras de Lys are only 20 minutes drive ..but have you thought about Italy ..the Sella Ronda offers a vast ski area mostly linked and has good transport within..and offers much cheaper living ..